Heart-Rhythm Monitoring for Evaluation of Cryptogenic Stroke

Observational studies suggest that we often fail to detect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as the cause of ischemic stroke.1 However, owing to the limitations of existing studies, guidelines have yet to endorse specific strategies for detecting atrial fibrillation in patients with a new stroke.2,3 The results of two studies published in this issue of the Journal indicate that prolonged monitoring of heart rhythm should now become part of the standard care of patients with cryptogenic stroke.4,5 This finding represents an important advance, because typical evaluations fail to determine the cause of one third of ischemic strokes. Cryptogenic strokes often . . .